History of The Ogham

 the Celtic Tree Alphabet

It is said that the Ogham, pronounced Owam, or Oh-yam, was named after the Celtic god of literature, Ogma.

The Ogham was used in Ireland by the ancient Celts of the early medieval period, and was used to represent the Old Irish language. It was thought to be used by Druids and Bards, though was adopted and developed by the first monks in Ireland. It spread in areas around the Irish Sea, including Wales. The inscriptions have also been found in  Devon, Isle of Man and Scotland.

The characters of the Ogham were inscribed on burial stones and boundary markers with the name of an individual, and were also found on the walls of caves and carved into bones, ivory, silver and bronze artefacts.

Similar characters have also been found in Spain and Portugal, and are thought to be far older than those found in Ireland and Wales, perhaps almost 3000 years old. Ogham inscriptions have been found on the Iberian peninsula, from where the Celts originally came to Britain. Inscriptions have also been found in areas of North America.

 The Ogham consisted originally as 20 characters known as feda, and were arranged in four groups or families of five. These groups were known as Aicme.

Each character, or letter, were given the names of trees and shrubs that were around at that time. Over a period of time the trees associated with each letter have changed, as the natural flora and forna of the British Isles has also changed.

The Ancient Ogham Tree Oracle    by Evelyn Whitebear

Sample cards from the 21 card deck

Eadha - Aspen

The meaning of Eadha, Eadhadh, Edad, Iodhadh, or Idad have been lost, though is associated with Aspen, or test tree.  The Aspen is also known as the Poplar. It is a hardy tree, representing durability and shielding protection. Its leaves rustle in the slightest wind, and so became associated with the wind, and with speech. It was used to commune with the spirit world and was used to protect against dark forces. The Aspen has Christian connections as Christ was nailed to a cross made of Aspen, and Judas hung himself from the Aspen.

Divinatory meaning: Aspen signifies determination and rebirth. It helps one to overcome fear and doubt through following inner guidance you can find creative solutions. Aspen asks you to look for significant signs and omens, and indicates a time of insightful understanding.

Ceirt - Apple

Ceirt or Cert is related to the Welsh ‘Pert’, though the true meaning of Ceirt is ‘rag’. The original name for Apple was ‘Aball’.  In many myths it is the Apple that keeps Gods youthful or immortal, and is therefore associated with beauty, youth and love.  Its juice was used to bring beauty and strength, and in spells it can be used to find love or bring healing.

Divinatory meaning: The Apple is the tree of love, knowledge and wisdom, bringing beauty through its blossoms, nourishment through its fruit, and healing through its life energy. It also signifies youth. Apple helps you to make decisions, to choose what is most beneficial to you, helping you to live life fully and enabling you to experience true happiness. Apple brings love into your life through the excitement of sexual love affairs. Apple signifies a time of internal change.

Duir - Oak

Duir, or Dair, means Oak. The oak tree is respected worldwide for its longevity, size and strength, and considered sacred in many world cultures. It is often struck by lightening and thus associated with illumination and inspiration. The name Druid is derived from the name Duir.  

Divinatory meaning: Oak brings great strength and wisdom to you at this time. It brings the power of endurance and leads you along new paths, through newly opened doors. Oak brings stability, security, contentment, protection and the opportunity of leadership. Oak signifies longevity and good luck. The acorn signifies fertility and creativity.

Gort - Ivy

Gort means ‘field’ or ‘garden’. Ivy was also called Edind. Ivy grows everywhere, in almost any environment, is extremely strong and almost impossible to destroy. Because of the way the ivy grows, searching out nourishment, and in the shape of a helix, it represents the journey of the soul, searching for enlightenment.

Divinatory meaning: Ivy represents the sacred spiral of life, self-transformation, self-enlightenment, tenacity and determination. This is a perfect time for deep reflection to help with any decisions that have to be made at this time. Take time to explore personal paths, and focus on areas of ones career and/or education. Be persistent.